Merriam suffered a heart attack last month just prior to the Oct. 20 municipal election in which he was re-elected by acclamation.

Born and raised in Spencer’s Island, Merriam sold life insurance in Halifax for many years before retiring back to his home community.

Merriam was first elected to Cumberland municipal council in 2000 as the representative for District 10 and served several years as deputy warden.

He was very active pushing for repairs to the Advocate seawall and ensuring snowmobile and off-highway vehicle trails through the Chignecto Game Sanctuary were protected in a pair of new wilderness areas.

His last project was supporting efforts to renovate the Diligent River Community Hall.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be released.

His death leaves a vacancy on county council. It’s not known how long it will take for a byelection to be held.